Kelso 1.15 Castle Rushen 1/2 pt ew @ 9’2 firms offering 3 places – Very useful novice hurdler; has the ability to win races off this mark over fences but he’s unseated in two of his three starts and it wasn’t his first mistake the last time at Newcastle, though he was still travelling within himself four out; wouldn’t be far away with a blemish-free round
Doncaster 1.30 Calico 1pt win @ 15’8 – Can sometimes race a bit too freely but came good over fences with dominant success from the front in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell in January; briefly gave top-class rival Jonbon a fright before succumbing in a match race at Warwick last month; the one to beat
Kelso 1.50 Mctigue 1pt win @ 7’2 – Very useful on the Flat (including on good ground) and made it 2-2 over hurdles in Grade 2 juvenile event at Auteuil last October; well beaten in Grade 1 and Grade 2 races the next twice but no surprise if he plays a leading role today for Irish trainer who won this two years ago
Newbury 2.10 Stimulating Song 1/2 pt ew @ 22’1 firms offering 4 places – Has some decent form in the book back in 2020. Has yet to achieve anything near that so far on the return to action , but the wind op & the booking of Cobden catch the eye and he is worth a shot at these odds for a return to form
Kelso 2.25 Snake Roll 1/2 pt ew @ 9’1 / 17’2 firms offering 4 places – Faded into a well-beaten fifth of seven in a Grade 2 at Warwick in January last time out; however, he’s better than that and impressed when making all here and at Newcastle previously; no surprise if he bounces back with a bold bid today
Newbury 2.45 Lord Baddesley 1/2 pt ew @ 5’1 / 9’2 firms offering 3 places – Made all for a comfortable success in novice handicap at Plumpton last month, opening his chase account at the fourth attempt; still unexposed over fences; good fourth in the 2022 Betfair Hurdle here; likely to go well off low weight
Kelso 3.00 Santos Blue 1pt win @ 3’1 – With the tongue-tie back on (retained since) he won on handicap debut at Wetherby on Boxing Day and followed up at Chepstow, both under Ben Sutton; has shot up the weights but is clearly thriving for his top yard; could play leading role once more
Doncaster 3.15 Undersupervision 1/2 pt ew @ 5’1 – Can make mistakes but it wasn’t his fault when he unseated two out (hampered) last time in the major C&D handicap won by Cooper’s Cross; had a chance for minor honours at that stage and he’s edged back to the same mark as when winning this race last year
Kelso 3.35 The Shunter 2pt win @ 15’8 (NAP) – Won the Morebattle Hurdle on this card two years ago and followed up in the Plate over fences at the Cheltenham Festival 12 days later; just one win since (on the Flat) but he ran well on the Flat last November when last seen and there can be optimism he’ll stay this far
ITV Double 1pt ew The Shunter & Santos Blue